Expert Lillemor Lack

Questions (For answers, scroll down or click on question)

What can you use for fly control on new foals?

I have heard that there are now vets recommending worming a mare with ivermectin the day she foals, supposedly to alleviate foal scours. Is this the latest recommendation?

My horse is allergic to fly sprays.  What can I do to protect him from flies?

How often do you worm the horse?

How can I control bitting flies

Is there a worm-related risk to humans mixing water supply with horses?

With just relocating to Georgia, I do not have access to a barn right now and the horse flies are eating my horse alive. I have fly sheets, fly masks, and strong pyrethrin fly sprays. The flies attack the sheath area especially. Any suggestions?

On several brands of fly repellent, the instructions state that you should spray the "shanks." What are the "shanks" of a horse?

I am feeding Equitrol for fly control and I would like to know if there have been any documented side effects from feed through larvacides.

My new mare seems to have some kind of beige nits. Is there a lice that horses get? How do you get rid of them and will the other horses get them too?

What is the best way to protect my pasture-kept mare and foal from ticks?

Questions and Answers

Q: How often do you worm the horse?

A: You should worm every 6-8 weeks. Ask your vet to design a good program.

Q: How can I control bitting flies?

A: At Hilltop we add Rabon to our feed. It is available from your feed store. We find it is very useful for fly control. There is also a product from Farnam called Farnam Equi-Trol. See State Line Cataglog.

Q: Is there a worm-related risk to humans mixing water supply with horses?

A: A suitable answer requires specific knowledge of you, your facilities and your local environment. It would be best for you to check with your physician.

Q: With just relocating to Georgia, I do not have access to a barn right now and the horse flies are eating my horse alive. I have fly sheets, fly masks, and strong pyrethrin fly sprays. The flies attack the sheath area especially. Any suggestions?

A: From an article in Practical Horseman, June 1999: Make your own flyspray with Citronella, Skin so Soft, and Vinegar.  Swat on belly and sheath area.  Also, you can add in the feed: Rabon or Equitrol. Prevents the development of flies (Keeps eggs from maturing). Does not affect adult flies. Must use before flies begin in spring and continue till frost. 

Q: On several brands of fly repellent, the instructions state that you should spray the "shanks." What are the "shanks" of a horse?

A: The "shanks" of a horse are his legs. 

Q: I am feeding Equitrol for fly control and I would like to know if there have been any documented side effects from feed through larvacides.

A: I am not aware of any side effects, but your vet may have more information. We feed a much cheaper version of Equitrol. It's available through your feed dealer.  Our feed dealer prepares a custom mix for us. It is Rabon along with ground corn, bran, and some other stuff. All horses get 1 oz. top dressed on their AM feed from March through October. We have been feeding this for 3-4 summers and have noticed a HUGE difference. Clients and guests alike want to know what we use to control the flies. We have not seen any side effects from using this product. 

Q: My new mare seems to have some kind of beige nits. Is there a lice that horses get? How do you get rid of them and will the other horses get them too?

A: Horses do get lice. Try worming with Ivermectin to get rid of them. 

Q: What is the best way to protect my pasture-kept mare and foal from ticks?

A: Keep the fields mowed and keep horses away from woods or brush areas. Maintain daily protection with fly and tick spray. Also check horse thoroughly every day. 

Q: My horse is allergic to fly sprays.  What can I do to protect him from flies?

A: Many people feed garlic as a daily supplement to reduce flies.  I have also heard that vinegar helps with fly prevention as well, but have not tried it.  Fly sheets will help protect your horse as well.  Some owners even purchase fly masks for their horses - some horses like them, others don't, so it will depend on your horse.  If you can find out what ingredient in the fly sprays your horse is allergic to, you may be able to find a natural or homeopathic formula that would not irritate him. 

Q: I have heard that there are now vets recommending worming a mare with ivermectin the day she foals, supposedly to alleviate foal scours. Is this the latest recommendation?

A: It is a good practice, but it is not new. It probably won't affect foal heat diarrhea. 

Q: What can you use for fly control on new foals?

A: We find the best and safest fly control is a mixture of 2 parts vinegar, 3 parts water, and 1 part Skin So Soft (an Avon product).